INFORMATION SHEET 17

AHB and EHB Characteristics

Africanized and European honey bees are similar in that they:

• look the same.
• sting in defense of themselves or their nest.
• can only sting once.
• have the same venom.
• pollinate flowers.
• produce honey and wax.

Africanized honey bees will live about anywhere they can find shelter. This means that the AHB is more likely to be found in trees, in the sides of buildings, in drain pipes, in water meter valve boxes, in old abandoned appliances, in piles of junk, and even in holes in the ground. In addition, Africanized honey bees:

• respond more quickly and more bees sting.
• can sense a threat from people or animals 50 feet or more from their nest.
• sense vibrations from power equipment 100 feet or more from nest.
• may pursue a perceived enemy 1/4 mile or more.
• swarm frequently to establish new nests.
• nest in smaller cavities and sheltered areas.
• move their entire colony readily (abscond) if food is scarce.

Africanized honey bees are very protective of their colony. If someone gets too near a hive, some bees may become disturbed and react by stinging them. A problem with Africanized honey bees is that they will defend a larger area around their colony, are more easily disturbed, and will respond in greater numbers once an intruder has been detected. To be safe, students should stay away from areas where they have seen groups of bees.

On the other hand, remember that bees on flowers are working gathering pollen and nectar (foraging). Foraging bees are AWAY from their colony and are not as likely to sting unless they are trapped or harmed in some way. Students do not need to be excessively alarmed about bees visiting flowers.